Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
About
Joseph Laing Obituary
Joseph P. Laing was born into eternal life on Tuesday, July 16th. He passed peacefully in his home in Whiting, NJ.
Joe was born in Montclair, grew up in West Orange and lived in Manhattan and Upstate New York, before moving to Whiting. He graduated from Mountain High School, attended Bloomfield Tech and studied at Essex County Community College.
The family will greet people from 9AM-9:45AM on Saturday, August 3rd at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange. A Memorial Mass will follow at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private.
Joe, aka the "Boxcar," was a big guy with a big life that led him to pursue numerous careers. He worked as a Code Enforcement Officer in Upstate NY; an Audio Engineer/Mixer/ Producer at 20/20 ABC Network, and music venues such as Manny's Car Wash and Lone Star Cafe; a Production Engineer at S.P.Q.R; an Owner of two restaurants, Ricci's Two and the EAT; a Production Technician at Manhattan Audio Video and a Police Officer with Essex County Park Police. However, music was his lifelong passion and a guitar was his constant companion. A notebook, sheet of paper, napkin or whatever had to be close at hand to record a lyric when inspiration would strike. Joe released a CD "Boxfull of Blues," and was inducted into the NY Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.
Whether behind a camera, soundboard, microphone or the wheel of a police car, he never missed a beat and always had a joke or a story at the ready. Through his many jobs, Joe traveled across the country and was amazed by the beauty of the natural world. He made friends wherever he went. He had a special place in his heart for the woods in Upstate NY and the beaches of the Islands and the Jersey Shore. He loved to grow, cook and eat delicious food.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, William and Alma and sisters Rene and Colleen. He will be missed by his surviving siblings: William, Mary, James and Alma and his many nieces, nephews and friends.
The family thanks the Visiting Nurses, Physicians and all who cared for Joe during these last few years.
Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Visit our funeral home directory for more local information, or see our FAQ page for help with finding obituaries and sending sympathy.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Agnes Keogh Clarke
July 29, 2024
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your brother, Joe. The Laing last name is well known to the Lourdes community. May he Rest in Peace.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Theresa Iacona Messina
July 24, 2024
In 1968, as I boarded the school bus that would take me to Mountain High, a cute, freckled face boy sat next to me. It took a month before we introduced ourselves. Yep, that was our Joe. Once I left school, I lost track of Joe until I ran the 30 reunion for our class. He explained he had a crush on me, and I told him I crushed on him. 2 shy kids. He also went to school with my husband, Lou, at Vo-tech. Joe ventured in and out of my life, we went out to dinner with Goldie (Michelle) and we lost touch again. Joe called me a few years ago and the connection continued. I went shopping for him 3 years ago when I realized he was my friend's neighbor in Whiting, he reached out in March after my back surgery and I last spoke to him the end of May. Joe will always hold a place in my heart and I will miss him until we meet again.
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
340 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Make a Donation
in Joseph Laing's name
People and places connected with Joseph
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Joseph's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Joseph Laing's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
